Hi everyone, I've been watching this site for quite a while now, reading lots of great threads on the various track machines you guys are playing with, so I've decided to introduce myself and share my project with you guys. There is a lot of great information on this site and the available information on the Web seems to be hard to come by or on this site!
A little history:
I have always wanted a track machine and am a bit of a military history buff. Over the years I've been searching for a Bren Gun Carrier (Universal Carrier) or something similar to restore with no luck. Up here in Canada it seems that a lot of the old carriers got sold as surplus after the war and guys used them to get in and out of hunting camps etc. I've heard several stories form the local "Old Boys" about ones that use to be around here, and even recall a story about one sitting in the woods somewhere but I can't seem to dig up anymore info on it. Its likely been scrapped. I have also toyed around with the idea of building a track machine from scratch. I am a Millwright and have lots of Fab experience and most of the tools to get the job done at my disposal. I also have done a couple of vehicle restorations so I understand the nature of such a project. I've gone as far as researching/collecting parts and made a couple of CAD drawings, but I have too many other projects on the list at the moment.
It seemed to be a "someday" project, then I had the opportunity to buy an old Bombardier Track Machine. I didn't know anything about the old Bombardiers, but it was a bit of a "S%#$ or get off the pot" deal so I jumped on it. I also have a couple old yellow belly Skidoo Olympics, so having this Bombardier kinda suited my collection.
It appears that it is an old SW54. There are no ID tags that i can find, but its narrower than a J5 and wider than a SW48, so it must be a SW54. It has the flat head chrysler 251 and a three speed gearbox. The nose and engine compartment are original Bombardier, but the rest of the cab and structure is homemade from 1 1/2" tubing and plywood.
My plan is to build a rig that i can play around with at the hunting camp, skid some logs for firewood the odd time, and plow my driveway if we get a large snowfall. As of right now i plan on getting it serviceable, mounting a big hydraulic winch and keeping the cab the way it is, but i might build a new one in the future.
Now i'll see if i can get some pictures posted for you guys.
A little history:
I have always wanted a track machine and am a bit of a military history buff. Over the years I've been searching for a Bren Gun Carrier (Universal Carrier) or something similar to restore with no luck. Up here in Canada it seems that a lot of the old carriers got sold as surplus after the war and guys used them to get in and out of hunting camps etc. I've heard several stories form the local "Old Boys" about ones that use to be around here, and even recall a story about one sitting in the woods somewhere but I can't seem to dig up anymore info on it. Its likely been scrapped. I have also toyed around with the idea of building a track machine from scratch. I am a Millwright and have lots of Fab experience and most of the tools to get the job done at my disposal. I also have done a couple of vehicle restorations so I understand the nature of such a project. I've gone as far as researching/collecting parts and made a couple of CAD drawings, but I have too many other projects on the list at the moment.
It seemed to be a "someday" project, then I had the opportunity to buy an old Bombardier Track Machine. I didn't know anything about the old Bombardiers, but it was a bit of a "S%#$ or get off the pot" deal so I jumped on it. I also have a couple old yellow belly Skidoo Olympics, so having this Bombardier kinda suited my collection.
It appears that it is an old SW54. There are no ID tags that i can find, but its narrower than a J5 and wider than a SW48, so it must be a SW54. It has the flat head chrysler 251 and a three speed gearbox. The nose and engine compartment are original Bombardier, but the rest of the cab and structure is homemade from 1 1/2" tubing and plywood.
My plan is to build a rig that i can play around with at the hunting camp, skid some logs for firewood the odd time, and plow my driveway if we get a large snowfall. As of right now i plan on getting it serviceable, mounting a big hydraulic winch and keeping the cab the way it is, but i might build a new one in the future.
Now i'll see if i can get some pictures posted for you guys.
